Sarah Flower - Nutritionist & Author

Sarah Flower - Nutritionist & Author I’m Sarah Flower, nutritionist with over 30 years of experience bringing together nutrition science and real food. Founder of Heart & Thyme coming soon

I work with clients across the UK, from my clinic in Devon or via Zoom, supporting women and families.

How many times have you heard someone say, “I’m intolerant to…”Food intolerances are far more common than true food alle...
10/08/2026

How many times have you heard someone say, “I’m intolerant to…”

Food intolerances are far more common than true food allergies, but they’re also much more difficult to identify. The symptoms aren’t always immediate, which makes joining the dots surprisingly difficult.

You might experience bloating after every meal, headaches, joint pain, fatigue, eczema, sinus problems or brain fog, yet never suspect the food you’re eating every day.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is people removing more and more foods without ever understanding why they’re reacting. Before long, they’re living on a very restricted diet and still don’t feel any better.

Food intolerances are often a sign that something deeper needs investigating. Gut health, digestive function, stress, infections, medications and even nutrient deficiencies can all affect how well we tolerate certain foods.

Rather than asking, “What food should I avoid?”, a better question is often, “Why has my body stopped tolerating this food?”

That’s where the answers usually begin.

Have you ever discovered a food that didn’t agree with you?

05/08/2026

Menopause often gets the blame for weight gain, but it's rarely the whole story.
In clinic, I see women who feel they're doing everything "right", yet the scales continue to creep up. They blame their hormones, eat less and exercise more, only to become more frustrated.

The reality is usually more complicated. Hormones do play a part, but so do muscle mass, protein intake, blood sugar balance, stress, sleep and the foods we're choosing every day.
If you've reached the stage where nothing seems to work, you're not alone.
Have you noticed your weight changing since your forties or fifties?

Still being told it is just IBS?Bloating after mealsLooking six months pregnant by the eveningLiving on peppermint tea a...
05/08/2026

Still being told it is just IBS?

Bloating after meals
Looking six months pregnant by the evening
Living on peppermint tea and hoping for the best

I see this all the time in clinic. And very often, it is not IBS at all.

One of the most common drivers is SIBO. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. It can trigger bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, reflux, brain fog, food reactions, and that constant uncomfortable feeling after eating.

The problem is, most people are never told to look for it.

I have put together a simple, easy to follow SIBO guide to help you understand what it is, what symptoms to look for, and what you can start doing about it.

You can download it free from the Books, Downloads and Guides section on my website

www.sarahflower.co.uk

If your gut has been “off” for a while, this is a very good place to start

menopausehealth digestivehealth functionalmedicine nutritionistuk guthealing

Could Your Gut Be Trying To Tell You Something?One thing I see time and time again is people accepting digestive symptom...
31/07/2026

Could Your Gut Be Trying To Tell You Something?

One thing I see time and time again is people accepting digestive symptoms as normal.

Bloating after meals.
Excessive wind.
Loose stools.
Constipation.
Reflux.
Food intolerances.
Feeling six months pregnant by the end of the day.

These symptoms may be common, but they are not necessarily normal.

In clinic, I regularly find that there is more going on beneath the surface. This may include bacterial imbalances, yeast overgrowth, parasites, digestive insufficiency, poor stomach acid production, inflammation or, in some cases, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). I have a free download on my website if you would like more information

Many people have often spent years trying different diets, supplements and probiotics without really understanding the root cause of their symptoms.

If you’ve been struggling with digestive issues that aren’t improving, it may be time to investigate further rather than continuing to guess.

I offer a range of advanced gut health tests, including GI MAP, GI360 and SIBO testing, which can help us understand exactly what is happening and create a personalised plan based on your results.

If you’re wondering whether testing might be appropriate for you, simply reply to this email and I’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.

You can also book a free 15min chat on my website.

Sleep is one of the most underrated pillars of good health.I often describe it as your body’s housekeeping service. Whil...
29/07/2026

Sleep is one of the most underrated pillars of good health.

I often describe it as your body’s housekeeping service. While you’re asleep, your body isn’t simply resting. It’s repairing tissues, consolidating memories, balancing hormones, regulating your immune system and preparing you for the day ahead.

When sleep is poor, it’s much harder to regulate appetite, blood sugar and stress hormones. You may find yourself craving sugary foods, relying on caffeine to get through the day and struggling to concentrate. Over time, poor sleep has also been linked with an increased risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The good news is that improving your sleep doesn’t always require expensive gadgets or supplements. Sometimes the biggest improvements come from simple changes to your evening routine, reducing caffeine later in the day, managing stress and creating a consistent bedtime.

If you’re eating well but still feel exhausted, don’t overlook your sleep. It could be one of the missing pieces of the puzzle.

How many hours of sleep do you usually get each night?

Have you ever been told your thyroid blood tests are “normal”, but you still don’t feel like yourself?This is something ...
27/07/2026

Have you ever been told your thyroid blood tests are “normal”, but you still don’t feel like yourself?

This is something I see regularly in clinic. People come to me exhausted, struggling with brain fog, dry skin, weight changes or digestive problems. They wonder if their thyroid is to blame, yet they’ve often been reassured that everything is fine.

The reality is that thyroid health isn’t always as straightforward as one blood test. Your thyroid works as part of a much bigger picture involving the gut, stress, nutrient status, inflammation and the immune system. If one part of that system isn’t working well, symptoms can develop long before anything obvious appears on routine testing.

That doesn’t automatically mean your thyroid is the problem, but it does mean it’s worth looking at the whole picture rather than just one number on a laboratory report.

If you’ve been struggling with symptoms and still don’t have answers, don’t ignore them. Your body is usually trying to tell you something.

Have any of these symptoms surprised you?

One of the biggest myths I hear is that weight loss is simply about eating less and moving more.If only it were that sim...
24/07/2026

One of the biggest myths I hear is that weight loss is simply about eating less and moving more.

If only it were that simple.

By the time we reach our 40s and 50s, hormones, sleep, stress, muscle mass, gut health and blood sugar control all start playing a role.

I see so many women blaming themselves when they are actually doing everything they can.

Sometimes the answer isn’t more willpower.

Sometimes the answer is understanding what is happening inside your body.

What’s been your biggest challenge with weight loss in midlife?

I’d love to hear.
You can book a free 15min chat on my website.

Not all hormone tests tell you the same story.One of the questions I’m asked most often is, “Should I have blood tests, ...
22/07/2026

Not all hormone tests tell you the same story.

One of the questions I’m asked most often is, “Should I have blood tests, saliva testing or a DUTCH test?”

The answer depends on what we’re trying to find out.

Routine blood tests are excellent for measuring hormone levels at a single moment in time and are often the right place to start. But they don’t always explain why symptoms are happening or how your body is processing those hormones.

The DUTCH test gives us a much more detailed picture. It looks at hormone production, hormone metabolism, adrenal function, cortisol patterns and melatonin, helping us understand not just how much hormone is present, but how your body is using it.

That’s particularly useful for people struggling with symptoms such as fatigue, poor sleep, anxiety, weight changes, low mood, irregular periods, PMS or menopausal symptoms, especially when routine blood tests haven’t provided the answers.

It’s important to remember that no single test is right for everyone. I only recommend testing when it’s appropriate, and the results are always interpreted alongside your symptoms, medical history and lifestyle.

The aim isn’t to collect more data. It’s to find answers that help us create the right plan for you.

Have you ever had your hormones tested?

“I’ve tried everything, but my gut still isn’t right.”I hear this almost every week.Many people assume gut health is sim...
20/07/2026

“I’ve tried everything, but my gut still isn’t right.”

I hear this almost every week.

Many people assume gut health is simply about bloating or IBS, but your digestive system influences far more than that. It plays a role in your immune system, nutrient absorption, hormone balance, skin health and even the way you feel day to day.

If your gut isn’t functioning properly, you might notice bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, reflux, food intolerances or abdominal discomfort. Others are surprised that fatigue, brain fog, recurring infections, eczema or joint aches can sometimes have links back to the gut too.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is people trying supplement after supplement without understanding what’s actually causing the problem. Sometimes it’s an imbalance in the gut bacteria. Sometimes it’s poor digestion, low stomach acid, SIBO, parasites, chronic stress or a combination of several factors.

That’s why I always say we need to understand why before deciding what to do. When we identify the root cause, treatment becomes much more targeted and often much more effective.

What’s one gut symptom you’ve struggled with the most?

Address

Holmedale Health, 34 Denmark Road
Exeter
EX1,1SE

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+447545287816

Website

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